Former Senator Al Franken (D-MN) may be eyeing another bite at the apple.
During a Wednesday interview with Washington Post Live, Franken — who resigned amid accusations of sexual harassment in 2017 — said that the idea of another run for Senate was “tempting.”
“I certainly loved my time in the Senate. I loved the job. I got a lot done. I was able to accomplish things I couldn’t accomplish anywhere else, I don’t think. So, yeah, it would be tempting to try to do that again,” Franken said.
Franken has said on a number of occasions that he regrets resigning – and he even made it clear during his resignation speech on the Senate floor that he believed there were others who should have resigned before he did.
Politico reported at the time:
“I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party,” Franken said, referring to Trump’s comments captured on tape about grabbing women’s genitals and to Moore’s multiple allegations of sexual assault or harassment of women in their teens.
“But this decision is not about me,” Franken added in his floor speech, which began shortly before noon on Thursday. “It’s about the people of Minnesota. It’s become clear that I can’t pursue the Ethics Committee process and at the same time remain an effective senator for them.”
In addition, a number of Franken’s former colleagues who initially called for him to step aside later said they also regretted that decision. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said that supporting Franken’s resignation was “one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made” in a Senate career that spanned nearly five decades.
Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) agreed, saying, “If there’s one decision I’ve made that I would take back, it’s the decision to call for his resignation. It was made in the heat of the moment, without concern for exactly what this was.”
“This was a rush to judgment that didn’t allow any of us to fully explore what this was about. I took the judgment of my peers rather than independently examining the circumstances,” Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) added. “In my heart, I’ve not felt right about it.”
If Franken were to make another run for political office, it might not be in his former home state of Minnesota as he has since moved to New York. And he may not be the only politician attempting a comeback after multiple accusations forced a resignation.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) resigned months ago after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment and assault, and is now reportedly eyeing a return to politics. Reports indicate he may even consider a run for New York Attorney General — an office he held from 2006-2010 — against the woman whose investigation ultimately drove him to resign as governor: incumbent New York AG Leticia James.
Also returning to politics after resignation is former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (R), who has joined a crowded primary field vying for the seat held by retiring Senator Roy Blunt (R).
You can watch the full interview here:
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